lenten journal: in remembrance of me

We drove to Hampton, Virginia Sunday after church to surprise our friend Charles who turns fifty tomorrow. We walked into their house around suppertime, ate, and then sat around the table talking as old friends do. Our conversation turned to music and then to the music we grew up on, which is gospel. Thanks to Youtube, we were able to share a few of our favorites, starting with Vestal Goodman and Johnny Cook singing, “Looking for a City.” I know. I’ve written and linked before to several gospel video clips because I do find something there that moves me even though the theology of the songs doesn’t always match up with mine.

One of the singing experiences that had a profound impact on my life was being a part of a production of Celebrate Life, which was a youth musical by Buryl Red and Regan Courtney based on the gospels that was a centerpiece of Baptist youth choirs for many, many years. The songs are receptacles of memories and emotions from long ago; some of them remain essential tracks in the soundtrack of my faith. As Holy Week begins, one in particular appears — a Communion song called “In Remembrance.”

in remembrance of me eat this breadin remembrance of me drink this winein remembrance of me pray for the timewhen God’s own will is done

in remembrance of me heal the sickin remembrance of me feed the poorin remembrance of me open the doorand let your brother i, let him in

take eat and be comfortedsrink and remember toothat this is my body and precious bloodshed for you, shed for you

in remembrance of me search for truthin remembrance of me always lovein remembrance of me don’t look abovebut in your heart, in your heartlook in your heart for God

do this in remembrance ofmedo this in remembrance of mein remembrance of me

After the weekend with Julie and Jay here, a great night with Charles and Jennifer and Samuel in Virginia, and the chance tonight to help out some of my Durham friends on their food truck, I feel full and fortunate. I am grateful that I can look around me and quite easily see the love of God in the faces looking back. As we move through this significant and holy week, I’m carrying this song, and the line in particular that sings: